The Juspeace Foundation, founded and chaired as honorary chairman by singer G-Dragon, moved many with its special actions at U.S. world tour concert venues.
The Juspeace Foundation contacted fire departments in New York on the 22nd and 23rd of last month, Las Vegas on the 31st, and Los Angeles on the 5th and 6th to invite firefighters and their families—who protect citizens' lives and safety on the front lines of disaster scenes—to the performances.
At the New York performance in particular, members of the New York Fire Department (FDNY) and their families were invited, and the foundation expressed gratitude for their efforts, noting those exposed to the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) amid national disasters such as increasingly frequent wildfires and floods caused by climate change.
It was an expression of thanks and support to those who practice the tour's theme of "Übermensch" outside the venue and share its values.
This was part of the Juspeace Foundation's planned "public disaster PTSD art healing project," realizing the foundation's core value of helping the psychological recovery of uniformed public servants and their families through art.
The event invited not only firefighters who protect citizens in times of social crisis and disaster but also private volunteers. In cooperation with Good Neighbors USA, the foundation invited "hidden heroes" such as Korean American nonprofit workers, social workers, and educators dedicated to disaster safety and public health in local communities. Women who had been living in shelters after violence and found it difficult to go out were also invited; they enjoyed cultural activities for the first time in a long while and received comfort and hope.
Good Neighbors USA said on social media that once, as someone who hid behind closed curtains to overcome the trauma of domestic violence and heal inner pain, stepping out with Good Neighbors' staff to experience the concert was truly life-changing, and explained that for them Übermensch means being bold, brave and fully embracing who I am and who I am becoming. They added they were grateful for the opportunity to heal and discover a better self and thanked G-Dragon and the foundation.
Übermensch, the title and theme G-Dragon chose for this tour, refers to the human figure that overcomes one's limits and moves toward a better existence. The foundation said, "Those who realize the noble value of life by dedicating themselves to others amid daily hardships are the modern 'Übermensch,'" and added, "we thought it was very important for the foundation to send encouragement and support so these people can continue their efforts without losing courage."
This invitation activity continues the efforts carried out during the Asia tour. Earlier, the foundation invited Paralympic athletes to performances through Paralympic committees in countries including Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong. That was in response to a letter from Japanese Paralympic athlete Kubota Kota (窪田幸太) saying G-Dragon's music had been a great help in achieving good results at the Paralympics.
A Juspeace Foundation official said the foundation will continue activities for those aligned with the values of justice and peace the foundation pursues, and for those in need across society. The foundation's invitation activities on this world tour are seen as a meaningful move that shows the Juspeace Foundation's clear purpose and philosophy of embracing the socially vulnerable and those who dedicate themselves through art.
[Photo] Provided by Galaxy Corporation.
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